CRACK cocaine could soon take over from heroin as the greatest drug menace in Ryedale.

The highly addictive drug was already well established in Scarborough and York, said Ryedale detective Garry Ridler.

"Everything that happens in Scarborough and York happens in Ryedale about a year later," he added.

He told a meeting of the Ryedale Community Safety Panel that the district now had a drug squad which targeted class A drugs dealers as a priority.

But he said police tackling drugs in isolation did not work. "I am a big fan of our referral scheme. It is a very positive one," he said.

People caught with a small quantity of any class of drug were given the opportunity to attend a drugs and drink centre. If they kept their appointment, the police cancelled bail and did not take action.

He also warned about the consequences of young people using alcohol and Ecstasy before driving.

"We have had fatalities where traces of these have been found. The two don't sit well together," said Detective Constable Ridler.

Part of the problem was the difficulty in detecting illegal drug use. It was easy to test for alcohol, but there were no roadside tests for drugs.

Prescription drugs too, whether used legally or illegally, could be a problem. DC Ridler said some people tested after accidents in the morning were found to be under the influence of sleeping pills.

Nikki Orrell, from the Cambridge Centre which deals with drugs and alcohol abuse, told the meeting there would be a detached drugs and alcohol worker for Ryedale working with clients, hopefully from September.

The drugs worker, Hazel Williams, was currently investigating drug and alcohol abuse in Ryedale in order to target future services.

Panel chairman Geoff Rennie said it was important to keep being reminded about the problem.

Updated: 11:37 Monday, August 19, 2002